FCC’s Pai smiles on SpaceX satellites

Elon Musk’s SpaceX moved closer to another orbital frontier as regulators advanced its application to launch a low-orbit constellation of satellites and join a jostling field of operators trying to cash in on broadband service from space.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai last week recommended the agency approve Space Exploration Technologies’ application to provide broadband services using satellite technologies in the US and on a global basis.

The proposal now goes to the four other commissioners for consideration at the agency, which earlier approved three other operators for satellite-broadband operations: OneWeb, Space Norway AS and Telesat Canada.

“To bridge America’s digital divide, we’ll have to use innovative technologies,” Pai said. “Satellite technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-toserve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach.”

The FCC’s move comes as US politicians call for improved internet service in rural areas.

The FCC last year said SpaceX had requested authority to deploy and operate a constellation of 4,425 satellites operating roughly 700 to 800 miles above the Earth (or 1,110 to 1,325 kilometers).

Musk founded SpaceX in 2002. The Hawthorne, Calif.-based company currently flies the Falcon 9 rocket and last week launched the Falcon Heavy, the world’s most powerful rocket in 45 years.

“We’re going to try to do for satellites what we’ve done for rockets,” said Musk during an interview in January 2015.

In order for large broadband constellations to deliver services in the US, the FCC must approve their operations to ensure the satellites don’t interfere with other uses, and that they will operate in a way that lowers the risk of collisions.

The FCC last year gave OneWeb access to the US market by using a proposed fleet of 720 satellites, and granted Telesat access to the market via 117 satellites already authorized by Canada. Space Norway won approval for two satellites.

Telesat last year said its service would suffer interference from SpaceX’s operations as proposed, and it asked the FCC to deny permission.